Cabo Verde vs Saudi Arabia Preview: Team News & Prediction | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Group Stage
by The Stats Zone ·
Updated
Perhaps one of the great stories in this summer's FIFA World Cup, Cabo Verde could make the knockout stages as they take on Saudi Arabia in Houston.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – ITV / USA – FOX Sports
How to watch online: UK – ITVX / USA – FOX One
Cabo Verde preview: A great story
Cabo Verde were the smallest country to ever qualify for a FIFA World Cup when they topped their CAF qualifying group ahead of African giants Cameroon, before Curacao then took on that mantle. However, despite the limitations of their resources, the Cabo Verdeans have captured the hearts of many neutrals in Group H.
Cabo Verde began their campaign by earning a goalless draw and a point against Spain in Atlanta, before then adapting their style and becoming a bit more proactive as they shared an entertaining 2-2 draw with Uruguay. In that contest in Miami, they took the lead and then went behind before getting themselves back level.
Saudi Arabia preview: Still in the hunt
Saudi Arabia defeated Argentina in their opening game of FIFA World Cup 2022 and would have believed the knockout stages beckoned for them but defeats to Poland and Mexico cost them. The Green Falcons now have another opportunity to squeeze through into the knockout stages for the first time since doing so at FIFA World Cup 1994 in the USA.
Georgios Donis' side began their campaign with a 1-1 draw with Uruguay in a game in which they were the better of the two sides in the first half but were close to blown away by a disjointed Uruguayan side in the second. They then succumbed to a 4-0 loss to Spain after their opponents had raced into a 3-0 lead before the first-half hydration break, before taking their foot off the gas.
Cabo Verde team news: Lopes Cabral suspended
Cabo Verde are dealing with a crucial absentee here as Benfica's Sidny Lopes Cabral, a tenacious defender that has helped in their forays forward, is missing through suspension with a yellow card against Spain and then against Uruguay.
Bubista made a couple of changes for their game against Uruguay with Benchimol, Garry Rodrigues and Tomas Arcanjo coming into the side but the latter was forced off through injury and is now a doubt.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Vozinha; Moreira, Pico, Diney, Paulo; Pina, D. Duarte; Mendes, Monteiro, Rodrigues; Benchimol
Unavailable: Lopes Cabral (Suspended)
Questionable: Arcanjo (Injured), J. Cabral (Injured)
Saudi Arabia team news: No injuries
There does not appear to be any injury issues for the Saudi Arabians to contend with but that does not mean that Georgios Donis does not make any changes with the Greek likely to revert back to a back four, rather than the back three he went with against Spain. Hassan Tambakti has overcome a foot injury.
Mohammed Abu Al Shamat, of Al Qadsiah, will be expected to come into the eleven for this one alongside Mohamed Kanno and Firas Al Buraikan.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Al Owais; Abdulhamid, Al Amri, Tambakti, Abu Al Shamat; Kanno, N. Al Dawsari, Al Khaibari; Al Juwayr, Al Buraikan, S. Al Dawsari
Unavailable:
Questionable:
Cabo Verde’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Steven Moreira ($3.9m) – Defender
Jamiro Monteiro ($4.6m) – Midfielder
Ryan Mendes ($4.9m) – Forward
Matchday 3 captain pick: Ryan Mendes
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Garry Rodrigues, Ryan Mendes
Free kicks: Jamiro Monteiro
Corners: Ryan Mendes
Saudi Arabia’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Saud Abdulhamid ($4.1m) – Defender
Salem Al-Dawsari ($7.2m) – Midfielder
Mohamed Kanno ($5.1m) – Midfielder
Matchday 3 captain pick: Salem Al-Dawsari
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Salem Al-Dawsari
Free kicks: Salem Al-Dawsari
Corners: Salem Al-Dawsari
Key stats
- This is the first meeting between Cabo Verde and Saudi Arabia.
- Cabo Verde have never met an AFC team in a FIFA World Cup match.
- Saudi Arabia have scored two goals in four of their five World Cup matches against African teams.
- None of Saudi Arabia’s 21 World Cup matches have finished goalless.
- Saudi Arabia are aiming to qualify for the knockout rounds for the second time having previously done so on their debut at USA 1994.
Click here for EVEN MORE stats & facts about this fixture!
Cabo Verde vs Saudi Arabia prediction
Cabo Verde went into the tournament on the back of some impressive performances and eye-catching results, most notably their 3-0 defeat of Serbia, and their ability to play in a variety of ways while maintaining an effectiveness at both ends of the pitch has been commended.
They face a Saudi Arabia side that endured a tough qualification campaign and have shown some improvement since the appointment of former Blackburn Rovers striker Donis, but they themselves will have to show a bit more attacking intent than they have done thus far.
Cabo Verde appear to have a variety of options in the final third and, should they maintain the intensity and focus of their opening couple of games, will fancy themselves to win here. That could be enough to even win the group if Uruguay were to beat Spain and Cabo Verde bettered the South Americans' goal difference.
Cabo Verde vs Saudi Arabia betting tip: Cabo Verde to win
